If there's one essential oil you need to have on you this summer, it's definitely peppermint. From motion sickness to tired legs, from the day after a party to insect invasions, it has everything to become your summer must-have. Zoom on the different properties of the refreshing essential oil of peppermint. 

Mentha piperita, l'huile essentielle de menthe poivrée

Refreshing peppermint is a perennial herb that is widespread in humid temperate regions. Its leaves are used in the kitchen and in the food industry in a thousand and one ways. They can be used to flavour salads as well as tea and many other drinks, liqueurs, sodas and syrups. People were attracted to its fresh taste very early on: the Egyptians themselves were already growing it. From antiquity to the present day, peppermint has remained one of the most widely used plants for its therapeutic properties.

Peppermint essence is extracted from the leaves by steam distillation. It is highly concentrated in menthol, its most important chemical constituent, an alcohol that crystallizes into a colorless needle. The fragrance of the essential oil is powerful and has a strong camphorated flavor. It goes well with benzoin, eucalyptus, lavender, marjoram, lemon, rosemary and its cousin, spearmint.

La menthe poivrée, l'huile essentielle pour soulager les inconforts digestifs

Peppermint is one of the best essential oils for freshening breath and relieving various digestive problems including indigestion, nausea, stomach aches. They will stimulate the production of bile, tone the liver and promote the expulsion of gas present in the intestines. It is then said to be carminative.

If you have difficulty digesting a meal, pour 25 cl of hot water into a glass and add a drop of peppermint essential oil with a little honey. Shake and drink the drink in one go. This same advice is recommended to relieve nausea, vomiting caused by food intolerance or motion sickness. Obviously, you will find in pharmacies, parapharmacy and organic stores all sorts of pills made with peppermint essential oil.

L'huile essentielle de menthe poivrée et l’encombrement nasal 

Trapped by the air conditioning, the fan or by an evening that is a little too cool? If you think you're coming down with a cold, simply mix three drops of peppermint essential oil, 3 drops of marjoram essential oil and 4 drops of lavender essential oil in 5 ml of vegetable oil, pour it into a hot bath and enjoy the warm feeling.

You can also smell the bottle directly or apply a few drops on a handkerchief to instantly unblock your nose.

La menthe poivrée, l'alliée des jambes lourdes 

The cooling and analgesic properties of peppermint EO are extremely valuable in soothing tired legs or overheated feet. Add 1% peppermint EO to a gel or spray bottle and apply to your sore limbs. Wait until the product has penetrated the skin before wiping.

Maux de tête et gueule de bois : l'huile essentielle de menthe poivrée à la rescousse !

By applying cold compresses soaked in peppermint essential oil on the forehead, you will relieve headaches, mental fatigue, stress, emotional shock, but also dizziness. You can put the bottle of gasoline under the nose of a person who has fainted to make him/her come to. For the same purpose, pour a few drops of peppermint essential oil into a diffuser or add to an air freshener.

In case of great heat, peppermint EO is cooling. Indeed, the vasoconstriction it causes decreases blood flow. It is this property that makes it particularly interesting to soothe heavy legs and calm the feeling of heat in the body. 

L'huile essentielle de menthe poivrée contre le brouillard mental

Mint is an intellectual stimulant that awakens and clears the mind. It will help you to be more positive and to chase away your dark thoughts. Finally, it will exert a calming power in the event of emotional shock.

Autres usages de l'HE de menthe poivrée

Peppermint is excellent for repelling insects and rodents, which seem to particularly dislike its smell.

Adding two or three drops of peppermint essential oil to a fumigation will decongest your skin and eliminate bacteria. It will then be useful for acne, dermatitis, itching, scabies and ringworm problems.

Précautions d'emploi de l'HE de menthe poivrée 

To use in low dosage in your remedies: 0,5 % is sufficient. Do not use during pregnancy or in children.

Also, do not use peppermint essential oil with homeopathic remedies and keep the bottle in a separate place.